What to do if your baby has a breath-holding spell

Having a baby is equal parts amazing and terrifying

Now to add to the list of worries, some children go through what are called breath-holding spells.

Don’t panic, it’s not a right of passage, you don’t have to wait in fear of when they’ll start this, yet if they do, here’s all you need to know about it.

What is a breath-holding spell?

Toddlers, and sometimes babies, can have breath-holding spells and actually, they're fairly common, they happen in about 1 in 20 children.

A breath-holding spell may happen after a child has been upset or startled, such as a minor bump or a fright.

Though scary to watch, your child does not need any treatment. Your child may recover quickly or be unresponsive for a short period.

The types of breath-holding spells

There are two main types of these spells to be aware of and they are as follows:

• If the child’s face turns blue, it’s called a cyanotic breath-holding spell. Usually, the child cries very hard and then has the spell. Cyanotic breath-holding spells are usually caused by anger or frustration.
• If the child’s face turns white, it’s called a pallid breath-holding spell. The child may cry a little bit or not at all before having the spell. Pallid breath-holding spells are usually caused by the child being startled or in pain.

Both types of spells can make kids pass out for up to a minute. In the most extreme cases, kids might have seizures. Having a seizure does not cause any long-term harm or put a child at risk for a seizure disorder.

What should I do?

If this is your child's first breath-holding spell, get medical care. Although the spells aren't harmful, it's good to get your child checked out just to be sure.

If your child has a breath-holding spell:

• Lay your child in the crib or on the floor.
• Keep your child away from anything hard or sharp so they don't hurt themselves.
• Stay with your child.

If your child passes out:

• Try to stay calm and reassure yourself that your child is safe.
• Check your child's mouth for food or any object that could cause choking.
• Call 999 if your child remains blue or is not breathing for longer than a minute.

After the breath-holding spell:

• Reassure your child that everything is okay and that the spell is not their fault.

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